The Voynich Ninja

You are not allowed to view links. Register or Login to view. was  a Benedictine monk at the St. Sebastian monastery in Ebersberg (Bavaria). 
In 1479 he wrote an illustrated herbal, now You are not allowed to view links. Register or Login to view.. 

This paper by Otto Kostenzer (You are not allowed to view links. Register or Login to view.) provides identifications of the 198 plants illustrated in the herbal. If I understand correctly, these identifications were proposed in a 1925 study by Hermann Fischer.

We discussed Auslasser's herbal in You are not allowed to view links. Register or Login to view.. As Helmut Winkler pointed out in that thread, there are German books that discuss this manuscript in detail.


Here is the list of the identified plants with links to the digital images. Unluckily, copying from the PDF caused a number of errors: I tried to correct them, but likely there are still a few. It would of course be interesting to also have a transcription of the several different names listed by Auslasser for most of the plants, but I don't think such a list is available online.

You are not allowed to view links. Register or Login to view. Asarum europaeum L.  "Ciclamas"
You are not allowed to view links. Register or Login to view. Pirola rotundifolia L.
You are not allowed to view links. Register or Login to view. Lilium Martagon L.  "Affodilla" (asphodel?)
You are not allowed to view links. Register or Login to view. Pirola rotundifolia L.
You are not allowed to view links. Register or Login to view. Gentiana cruciata L.
You are not allowed to view links. Register or Login to view. Sanicula europaea L.  "herba benedicta"
You are not allowed to view links. Register or Login to view. Corydalis cava L.  "aristologa"
You are not allowed to view links. Register or Login to view. Peucedanum cervaria L.
You are not allowed to view links. Register or Login to view. Arum maculatum L.
You are not allowed to view links. Register or Login to view. Bunndschraut
You are not allowed to view links. Register or Login to view. Chrysantthemum Leucanthemum L. or Chr. maius L.
You are not allowed to view links. Register or Login to view. Aconitum vulparia Rehb.  "lupina"
You are not allowed to view links. Register or Login to view. Mediana
You are not allowed to view links. Register or Login to view. Mediana
You are not allowed to view links. Register or Login to view. Polygonatum verticillatum Allioni
You are not allowed to view links. Register or Login to view. Polygonatum multiflorum L.  "sigillum Sanctae Virginis, helleborus albus"
You are not allowed to view links. Register or Login to view. Scolopendrium vulgare Smith  "lingua cervina" (hart's tongue)
You are not allowed to view links. Register or Login to view. Mediana
You are not allowed to view links. Register or Login to view. impatiens noli tangere L.
You are not allowed to view links. Register or Login to view. Polypodium vulgare L.
You are not allowed to view links. Register or Login to view. Potentilla reptans
You are not allowed to view links. Register or Login to view. Hypericum perforatum L.  (St. John's wort)
You are not allowed to view links. Register or Login to view. Aquilegia atropurpurea L.  "Egilops"
You are not allowed to view links. Register or Login to view. Campanula medium L.
You are not allowed to view links. Register or Login to view. Convallaria maialis L.
You are not allowed to view links. Register or Login to view. Lilium candidum L.  "Lilium Album"
You are not allowed to view links. Register or Login to view. Iris germanica L.  "Lilium celeste"
You are not allowed to view links. Register or Login to view. Iris pseudacorus L.  "Bladiolus?"
You are not allowed to view links. Register or Login to view. Betonica officinalis L.
You are not allowed to view links. Register or Login to view. Primula officinalis L.  "Bethonica"
You are not allowed to view links. Register or Login to view. Verbascum nigrum L.  "Luminaria"
You are not allowed to view links. Register or Login to view. Delphinium consolida L.
You are not allowed to view links. Register or Login to view. Colchicum autumnale L.  "Hermodoctilus" - hermodactylus?
You are not allowed to view links. Register or Login to view. Piatanthera bifolia L.
You are not allowed to view links. Register or Login to view. Agrimonia eupatoria  "Verbena"
You are not allowed to view links. Register or Login to view. Paris quadrifolium L.  "Umbilicus Veneris"
You are not allowed to view links. Register or Login to view. Listera ovata L.
You are not allowed to view links. Register or Login to view. Erythraea centaurium L.
You are not allowed to view links. Register or Login to view. Valeriana officinalis L.  "Portentilla"
You are not allowed to view links. Register or Login to view. Euphrasa officinalis L.
You are not allowed to view links. Register or Login to view. Parnassa palustris L.
You are not allowed to view links. Register or Login to view. Verbena officinalis L.  "Columbaria, herba Veneris"
You are not allowed to view links. Register or Login to view. Plantago maior L.  "Arnoglossa, agniglossa"
You are not allowed to view links. Register or Login to view. Plantago media L.  "Plantago minor, lanceolata"
You are not allowed to view links. Register or Login to view. Plantago lanceolata L.
You are not allowed to view links. Register or Login to view. Scrophularia nodosa L.
You are not allowed to view links. Register or Login to view. Taraxacum officinalis L.
You are not allowed to view links. Register or Login to view. Achillea millefolium L.  "Brassia"
You are not allowed to view links. Register or Login to view. Hyoscyamus niger L.  "Caniculata, caliculata, cassilago"
You are not allowed to view links. Register or Login to view. Lithospermum arvense L.
You are not allowed to view links. Register or Login to view. Eupatorium cannabinum L.
You are not allowed to view links. Register or Login to view. Cichorium intybus L.  "Sponsa solis, ambrosiana"
You are not allowed to view links. Register or Login to view. Euphorbia Esula L.
You are not allowed to view links. Register or Login to view. Nasturtium officinalis L.
You are not allowed to view links. Register or Login to view. Potentilla anseri L.  "Hercularis"
You are not allowed to view links. Register or Login to view. Euphorbia cyparissi L.  "Esula minor"
You are not allowed to view links. Register or Login to view. Linaria vulgaris L.  "Graciosa?"
You are not allowed to view links. Register or Login to view. Alchemilla vulgaris L.
You are not allowed to view links. Register or Login to view. Geum urbanum L.  "Benedicta rubea"
You are not allowed to view links. Register or Login to view. Polygonum avicula L. or passerina L.   "Corrigiola"
You are not allowed to view links. Register or Login to view. Artemisia vulgaris L.  "Arthemesia, Dyana, Monoglossa, Ambrosia"
You are not allowed to view links. Register or Login to view. Aspidium (filix mas) L.
You are not allowed to view links. Register or Login to view. Solanum niger L.  "Uva lupina"
You are not allowed to view links. Register or Login to view. Solanum dulcamara   "Asorella, asaurella"
You are not allowed to view links. Register or Login to view. Phyteuma orbiculare
You are not allowed to view links. Register or Login to view. Euphorbia Helioscopia L. ?
You are not allowed to view links. Register or Login to view. Gentiana pneumonanthe L.
You are not allowed to view links. Register or Login to view. Capsella bursa pastoris L.
You are not allowed to view links. Register or Login to view. Potentilla recta L.  "Pentafilon"
You are not allowed to view links. Register or Login to view. Polygonum persicaria L.
You are not allowed to view links. Register or Login to view. Brunella vulgaris L.  "Consolida, brunella"
You are not allowed to view links. Register or Login to view. Tussilago farfara L.  "Ungula"
You are not allowed to view links. Register or Login to view. Pulmonaria officinalis L.
You are not allowed to view links. Register or Login to view. Angelica silvestris L.
You are not allowed to view links. Register or Login to view. Potentilla tormentilla L.   "Tormentilla"
You are not allowed to view links. Register or Login to view. Polygonum bistorta L.  "Serpentina, colubrina, basilisca, alabardon, dragontea"
You are not allowed to view links. Register or Login to view. Echium vulgare L. 
You are not allowed to view links. Register or Login to view. Malva silvestris L.
You are not allowed to view links. Register or Login to view. Althaea officinalis L.  "Malva agrestis, bismalva"
You are not allowed to view links. Register or Login to view. Polypodium vulgare L.  "Dulcis sporis"
You are not allowed to view links. Register or Login to view. Chelidonium maius L.  "Celidonia, chelidon"
You are not allowed to view links. Register or Login to view. Ranunculus acer L.
You are not allowed to view links. Register or Login to view. Rubia tinctormum L.
You are not allowed to view links. Register or Login to view. Origanum vulgare  "Cardo benedictus, selena, pulega"
You are not allowed to view links. Register or Login to view. Urtica dioica L.
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You are not allowed to view links. Register or Login to view. Galeobdolom luteum Huds.
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You are not allowed to view links. Register or Login to view. Trifolium pratense L.
You are not allowed to view links. Register or Login to view. Trifolium repens L. or montanum L.
You are not allowed to view links. Register or Login to view. Beta vulgaris L.  "Rappa"
You are not allowed to view links. Register or Login to view. Hepatica triloba L.
You are not allowed to view links. Register or Login to view. Bidens tripartitus L.  "crescet in paludibus [grows in marshes]"
You are not allowed to view links. Register or Login to view. Oxalis acetosella L.  "Alleluia"
You are not allowed to view links. Register or Login to view. Rumex acetosa L.  "Acidula"
You are not allowed to view links. Register or Login to view. Anemone ranunculoides L.
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You are not allowed to view links. Register or Login to view. Caltha palustris L.
You are not allowed to view links. Register or Login to view. Allium spec. or Leucoium vernum L.  "Squillus vel squillum"
You are not allowed to view links. Register or Login to view. Lathraea squamaria L.
You are not allowed to view links. Register or Login to view. Viola spec. 
You are not allowed to view links. Register or Login to view. Gentiana verna L.  "Vyola in pratis"
You are not allowed to view links. Register or Login to view. Cardamine pratensis L.
You are not allowed to view links. Register or Login to view. Bellis perennis L.
You are not allowed to view links. Register or Login to view. Ficaria verna Huds.
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You are not allowed to view links. Register or Login to view. Orchis spec. 
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You are not allowed to view links. Register or Login to view. Epipactis spec. 
You are not allowed to view links. Register or Login to view. Sempervivum tectorum L.  "Barba Jovis maiore, accidula minore, domasia"
You are not allowed to view links. Register or Login to view. Sedum acre L.  "Barba Jovis minor"
You are not allowed to view links. Register or Login to view. Heleborus Helleborus viridis L.
You are not allowed to view links. Register or Login to view. Aiuga reptans L.
You are not allowed to view links. Register or Login to view. Paeonia officinalis L.  "Peonia, astula, arterion"
You are not allowed to view links. Register or Login to view. Gentiana lutea L.  "Allegallica"
You are not allowed to view links. Register or Login to view. Bellidiastrum Michelii (Cassini)
You are not allowed to view links. Register or Login to view. Ranunculus languinosus L.  "Benedicta"
You are not allowed to view links. Register or Login to view. Veronica arvensis L. or chamaedrys L.
You are not allowed to view links. Register or Login to view. Melandryum rubrum Garcke
You are not allowed to view links. Register or Login to view. Melandryum rubrum Garcke
You are not allowed to view links. Register or Login to view. Chenopodium rubrum L.?
You are not allowed to view links. Register or Login to view. Tragopogon pratensis L. or T. orientalis L.  "herba indaica"
You are not allowed to view links. Register or Login to view. Raphanus Raphanistrum L.  "anetum"
You are not allowed to view links. Register or Login to view. Lepidium latifolium L.  "Typtamus"
You are not allowed to view links. Register or Login to view. Levisticum officinale L.  "ligustica, liguria, libistica"
You are not allowed to view links. Register or Login to view. Filipendula Ulmaria Max
You are not allowed to view links. Register or Login to view. Tanaeetum vulgare L.
You are not allowed to view links. Register or Login to view. Anchusa officinalis L.  "Buglossa"
You are not allowed to view links. Register or Login to view. Ranunculus bulbosus L.
You are not allowed to view links. Register or Login to view. Dianthus Carrhusianorum L.
You are not allowed to view links. Register or Login to view. Campanula patula L.
You are not allowed to view links. Register or Login to view. Anthyllis vulneraria L.
You are not allowed to view links. Register or Login to view. Trifolium minus L. or T. procumbens L.
You are not allowed to view links. Register or Login to view. Alectorolophus crista galli Bast.
You are not allowed to view links. Register or Login to view. Agrostemma Githago L.
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You are not allowed to view links. Register or Login to view. Melampyrum arvense L.
You are not allowed to view links. Register or Login to view. Papaver Rhoeas L.
You are not allowed to view links. Register or Login to view. Hyssopus officinalis L.
You are not allowed to view links. Register or Login to view. Euphorbia verrucosa L.
You are not allowed to view links. Register or Login to view. Atriplex patula L.?
You are not allowed to view links. Register or Login to view. Sinapis alba L.
You are not allowed to view links. Register or Login to view. Chenopodium bonus Henricus L.
You are not allowed to view links. Register or Login to view. Symphytum officinale L.
You are not allowed to view links. Register or Login to view. Chrysanthemum leucanthemum L.
You are not allowed to view links. Register or Login to view. Centaurea Jacea (Jess.)
You are not allowed to view links. Register or Login to view. Senecio Fuchsii (Gmelin)
You are not allowed to view links. Register or Login to view. Silene vulgaris Garcke
You are not allowed to view links. Register or Login to view. Solanum dulcamara L.
You are not allowed to view links. Register or Login to view. Erigeron acer L. ?
You are not allowed to view links. Register or Login to view. Geranium phaeum L. (?)
You are not allowed to view links. Register or Login to view. Myosotis palustris Roth?
You are not allowed to view links. Register or Login to view. Marrubium vulgare L.
You are not allowed to view links. Register or Login to view. Helianthemum polifolium L.
You are not allowed to view links. Register or Login to view. Erodium cicutarium L'Herit
You are not allowed to view links. Register or Login to view. Aposeris foetida Lessing
You are not allowed to view links. Register or Login to view. Stachys palustris L.
You are not allowed to view links. Register or Login to view. Lotus corniculatus L.
You are not allowed to view links. Register or Login to view. Scabiosa columbana L.
You are not allowed to view links. Register or Login to view. Hieracium pilosella L.
You are not allowed to view links. Register or Login to view. Knautia arvensis Coult
You are not allowed to view links. Register or Login to view. Menta aquatica L.
You are not allowed to view links. Register or Login to view. Menta piperita var. crispa L.
You are not allowed to view links. Register or Login to view. Nepeta cataria L.
You are not allowed to view links. Register or Login to view. Menta arvensis
You are not allowed to view links. Register or Login to view. Senecio vulgaris L.
You are not allowed to view links. Register or Login to view. Senecio saracenius L. or S. Fuchsii (Gmelin)
You are not allowed to view links. Register or Login to view. Nymphaea alba L.
You are not allowed to view links. Register or Login to view. Senecio Jacobaea L.
You are not allowed to view links. Register or Login to view. Lactuca scariola L.
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You are not allowed to view links. Register or Login to view. Lycopodium clavatum L.
You are not allowed to view links. Register or Login to view. Saxifraga granulata L.
You are not allowed to view links. Register or Login to view. Erica carnea L.
You are not allowed to view links. Register or Login to view. Hieracium pilosella L.
You are not allowed to view links. Register or Login to view. Pinguicula vulgaris L.
You are not allowed to view links. Register or Login to view. Wundchrawt
You are not allowed to view links. Register or Login to view. Fragaria vesca (L.)
You are not allowed to view links. Register or Login to view. Herniaria glabra L.
You are not allowed to view links. Register or Login to view. Scrophularia nodosa L.
You are not allowed to view links. Register or Login to view. Salvia glutinosa L.
You are not allowed to view links. Register or Login to view. Epilobium parviflorum Schreber
You are not allowed to view links. Register or Login to view. Salvia pratensis L.
You are not allowed to view links. Register or Login to view. Lysimachia vulgaris O.
You are not allowed to view links. Register or Login to view. Phyteuma orbiculare L.
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You are not allowed to view links. Register or Login to view. Atropa Belladonna L.
You are not allowed to view links. Register or Login to view. Dipsacus sativus L.
You are not allowed to view links. Register or Login to view. Melilotus officinalis Desf.
You are not allowed to view links. Register or Login to view. Sonchus arvensis L.
You are not allowed to view links. Register or Login to view. Clinopodium vulgare L.
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You are not allowed to view links. Register or Login to view. Anagallis arvensis L. 
You are not allowed to view links. Register or Login to view. Stellaria media L. 
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You are not allowed to view links. Register or Login to view. Saponaria officinalis L.

Very interesting herbal, Marco.

I haven't read any commentary on this manuscript but I noticed right away the illustrator took a different approach to some of the plants.

For example, many manuscripts emphasize the roots of Asphodel and this illustrator emphasized the influorescences and downplayed the roots.

I noticed hart's tongue does something similar. Emphasizes the stems more than most (I think I've only seen a couple in which the stems are so prominent) and differs from many in having blunt leaves (that's somewhat unusual) but DID include the fibrous stem base which is a detail that is often overlooked.

Also, he appears to have drawn a different species of St. John's wort than is in many of the herbals. It looks like it might be H. triquetrifolium or something very like it, rather than the more commonly illustrated species.


The reason I mention these is because I think the VMS might have some similar patterns (e.g., 1) greater emphasis on a different part of a plant than many of the traditional interpretations, 2) different approach to certain parts of the plants, 3) including parts that are often overlooked).

(23-05-2016, 12:29 PM)-JKP- Wrote: You are not allowed to view links. Register or Login to view.Very interesting herbal, Marco.

I haven't read any commentary on this manuscript but I noticed right away the illustrator took a different approach to some of the plants.

For example, many manuscripts emphasize the roots of Asphodel and this illustrator emphasized the influorescences and downplayed the roots.

I noticed hart's tongue does something similar. Emphasizes the stems more than most (I think I've only seen a couple in which the stems are so prominent) and differs from many in having blunt leaves (that's somewhat unusual) but DID include the fibrous stem base which is a detail that is often overlooked.

Also, he appears to have drawn a different species of St. John's wort than is in many of the herbals. It looks like it might be H. triquetrifolium or something very like it, rather than the more commonly illustrated species.


The reason I mention these is because I think the VMS might have some similar patterns (e.g., 1) greater emphasis on a different part of a plant than many of the traditional interpretations, 2) different approach to certain parts of the plants, 3) including parts that are often overlooked).

Hello JKP, this herbal seems interesting to me too!
Thank you for your comments. I guess the plants you mention are 3 (Asphodel), 17 (hart's tongue) and 22 (St. John's wort). I have added these names to the list, next to Fischer's botanical identification. I will try to transcribe at least the Latin names of the plants (the German names seem too difficult to me).

I agree with what you write, in particular, I noticed that the roots are not only downplayed, but sometimes completely absent (e.g. You are not allowed to view links. Register or Login to view.). 
I also agree about the fact that the detailed representation of flowers somehow parallels something we observe in the Voynich. The attempt to render the 3D structure of flowers (not only perfect profile or frontal views) is not frequent in medieval herbals.


[Edit: Auslasser 137 corrected as per Helmut's comment]

Your Auslasser 131 is Auslasser's  number 137, I think one should use the modern foliation for citation purposes, as is common usage, which means it is f. 232r.

I am getting myself interested in the Auslaasser herbal, I will give you transcriptions of the German   names as I go along (and as time permits, I have to look up one or two things)

(24-05-2016, 07:53 AM)Helmut Winkler Wrote: You are not allowed to view links. Register or Login to view.Your Auslasser 131 is Auslasser's number 137, I think one should use the modern foliation for citation purposes, as is common usage, which means it is f. 232r.

I am getting myself interested in the Auslaasser herbal, I will give you transcriptions of the German names as I go along (and as time permits, I have to look up one or two things)

Thank you for the correction, Helmut!

As for the reference numbers, I derived them from the Otto Kostenzer's paper I linked and, if I understand correctly, his list comes from a 1925 essay by  Hermann Fischer. Those numbers are also used in You are not allowed to view links. Register or Login to view., so I find that referencing to them is rather convenient.

It's great to know that you are studying this herbal and I hope you will find the time to work on the transcription! This manuscript looks like a goldmine of botanical nomenclature

Quite, quite interesting.

Auslasser 120 - "Wund chrawt"?

= "Wund Kraut"?

Voyich 14r has its first vord as pchodaiin. Many first vords of botanical folios, which I call "potential plant names" (PPN's) end with daiin, even more with aiin, and still more with iin.

I wonder if one of these sequences might mean "grass" or "herb".

(24-05-2016, 09:30 PM)Anton Wrote: You are not allowed to view links. Register or Login to view.Quite, quite interesting.

Auslasser 120 - "Wund chrawt"?

= "Wund Kraut"?

Voyich 14r has its first vord as pchodaiin. Many first vords of botanical folios, which I call "potential plant names" (PPN's) end with daiin, even more with aiin, and still more with iin.

I wonder if one of these sequences might mean "grass" or "herb".

Interesting Anton! There does seem to be some connection between these vords and plants: Regarding daiin as an isolated vord, the lowest frequency of occurrence is located in the astronomical folios, which would seem to support the scenario you describe.
As a non-isolate daiin is also more rare in the astronomy and also astrology sections than in other sections. 
However, this doesn't work for the other vords you mention.

To add upon that, daiin is also the most frequent vord in the VMS, which, given that herbs seem to be the major subject thereof, makes it a probable candidate for such word as "herb" (provided that the text is highly conspected and omits articles etc.)

(Sorry for a bit of offtopic).

Some more Auslasser / Voynich flower comparisons.

As an example of a European book of plant-pictures, it's very interesting.  However, I wonder if it shouldn't be moved to a thread about that subject?

Codicology is about the materials and methods used in constructing the artefact as such. Palaeography is about hand-writing - and not so much about the content embodied in a written text.

I'm sure it would be easy to fill a whole thread with examples of illustrated plant-books and herbals. The special thread wouldn't be wasted.